Film viewer

ABSTRACT

A film viewer is disclosed which includes a base; a multifunction support member secured to the base, with the support member having an aperture therethrough; first means removably secured to the support member for supporting and dispensing roll film mounted thereon; second means removably secured to the support member for taking up the roll film dispensed by the first means; a lens system removably secured to the support member intermediate the first and second means and over the aperture of the support member; a light system for causing light to be passed through the aperture toward the lens system; novel roll film guide means and retaining means therefor removably supported by the support member for guiding roll film advancing between the first and second means in a path of travel over the aperture in the support member; and motive means removably secured to the support member for operating the first and second means. In addition to the above functions, the support member further functions to align all components and to slidably support a plate film carriage by which the film viewer can be used for viewing microfilm in either card or plate formats. The base supports and aligns a generally U-shaped frame of the viewer which in turn removably carries the front and rear cover sections of the viewer with a reflecting module therebetween. In addition, the base supports the aforementioned light system which in of itself is provided with a novel heat sink construction.

United States Patent [1 1 Kinsinger et al.

[ 1 Oct. 2, 1973 FILM VIEWER [75] Inventors: William C. Kinsinger, NewYork;

James lppolito, Bronx; Vincent Pisarri, Scarsdale, all of NY.

[73] Assignee: Metagraphic Systems, Inc., New

York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Dec. 9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 96,415

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.884,260, Dec. 11,

1969, Pat. No. 3,672,756.

Primary ExaminerHarry N. l-laroian AttorneyLerner, David & Littenberg[57] ABSTRACT A film viewer is disclosed which includes a base; amultifunction support member secured to the base, with the supportmember having an aperture therethrough; first means removably secured tothe support member for supporting and dispensing roll film mountedthereon; second means removably secured to the support member for takingup the roll film dispensed by the first means; a lens system removablysecured to the support member intermediate the first and second meansand over the aperture of the support member; a light system for causinglight to be passed through the aperture toward the lens system; novelroll film guide means and retaining means therefor removably supportedby the support member for guiding roll film advancing between the firstand second means in a path of travel over the aperture in the supportmember; and motive means removably secured to the support member foroperating the first and second means. In addition to the abovefunctions, the support member further functions to align all componentsand to slidably support a plate film carriage by which the film viewercan be used for viewing microfilm in either card or plate formats. Thebase supports and aligns a generally U-shaped frame of the viewer whichin turn removably carries the front and rear cover sections of theviewer with a reflecting module therebetween. In addition, the basesupports the aforementioned light system which in of itself is providedwith a novel heat sink construction.

54 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEU um 2 1 3. 762.8 1 0 sum 10F 1INVENTOR.

WILLIAM KINSINGER LERNER,DAV/D 8 LITTENBERG I ATTORNEYS PATENTED 2|9733.762.810

SHEET 2 BF 7 PAT TED DU 2 I973 SHEET 30F T PATENTEDBBI 2.973

SHEEI sur 1 V v 244 FIG. 9

PATENTED 2W3 3.7 52810 sum var 7 Q GEN FILM VIEWER CROSS REFERENCE TORELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.Pat. application Ser. No. 884,260 filed Dec. 1 1, 1969 in the name ofWilliam Kinsinger and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention,now U.S. Pat. No. 3,672,756.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to film viewers,particularly of the type adapted to view film in various formats, andmore particularly to such a film viewer which is of modular constructionthereby facilitating economical manufacture and simple servicing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 884,260,there is disclosed a film viewer capable of viewing film in a number offilm formats such as microfilm in roll form, microfilm in fiche form,and microfilm in card form. As well known in the art, microfilm in rollform comprises a continuous strip of film rolled on a reel andcontaining sequentially spaced film images or frames. Microfilm in cardform generally comprises film including one or more images mounted on acard for ease of handling and storage. Microfilm in fiche form, commonlyreferred to as microfiche, generally comprises a rectangular sheet offilm containing a plurality of film images arranged in rows and columns.As set fourth in the aforementioned application, it is extremelydesirable to produce a film viewer which are interchangeably handle thevarious microfilm formats discussed above. To that end, the inventionset forth in the Kinsinger application permits the use of a singleviewer capable of viewing microfilm in roll form or microfilm in ficheor card form.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the purpose of the present invention toprovide a film viewer generally similar to that disclosed in theaforementioned Kinsinger application, but which is extremely simple andeconomical to manufacture, simple to assemble, and extremely simple toservice by even relatively unskilled personnel. Like the viewer of theKinsinger application, the viewer hereof is primarily intended to beused with film of various formats, but if desired, the principals of theinvention can be employed to construct a viewer intended to view film ina single film format.

Briefly stated, the viewer of the instant invention includes a base, amultifunction support member secured to the base with the support memberhaving an aperture therethrough; first means secured to the supportmember for supporting and dispensing roll film mounted thereon; secondmeans secured to the support member for taking up roll film dispensed bythe first means; a lens system secured to the support memberintermediate the first and second means and over the aperture; a lightsystem for causing light to be passed through the aperture and towardthe lens system; roll film guide means supported by the support memberfor guiding the roll film between the first and second means in a pathof travel over the aperture; and motive means for separating the firstand second means.

From the above, it is to be appreciated and in fact considered to be oneof the features of the instant in vention that the aforementionedsupport member is indeed multifunction in the sense that it supports andaligns the following self-contained modular-like components: the firstmeans for dispensing roll film the second means for taking up the rollfilm, the lens system, and the roll film guide means. Additionally, in apreferred embodiment of the instant invention the same support memberwhich performs the above described functions additionally functions tosupport the aforementioned motive means; and, if the invention isemployed as a viewer for films of various formats, the support memberalso slidably carries the plate film carriage which carries the film insuch other formats.

As a particularly advantageous feature of the invention, suchmultifunction support member removably supports all of the abovedescribed components in a most simple manner and by which subsequentservicing can be performed by unskilled personnel. In a preferred form,such support member includes a plurality of upstanding ribs two of whichfunction to define a retaining channel for the aforementionedmodular-like components, while two of such ribs additionally function todefine a roll film track means which receives the aforementioned guidemeans. Finally, such support member includes a upstanding retaining wallwhich, together with the aforedescribed retaining channel, provides thesimple means by which all of the various components can be most easilysecured to and removed from the support member.

As a further feature of the instant invention, the base of the filmviewer of the invention is provided with a novel slotted in-turnedtongue construction which, in addition to performing the function ofremovably carrying the multi-function support member, also guidinglyreceives and retains a generally U-shaped frame member which in turnremovably carries the front and rear cover sections of the viewer. Thefront section carries a screen by which the film images can be viewed.In addition, such base provides the supporting surface for the lightsystem which in of itself is provided with a novel heat sinkconstruction.

As a further feature, the aforementioned lens system of the invention isconstructed in a simple and expeditious manner by which the primary lensand prism associated therewith can be easily moved with the necessarydegrees of freedom sufficient to cover the various film formats whichmay be employed.

As a further particularly advantageous feature of the invention, thereis provided a roll filrn guide means employing rollers the peripheriesof which maintain the film guiding edges of such member at apredetermined distance above the roll film passing therebeneath.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide asimple, inexpensive, easy to manufacture, easy to service film viewerintended for viewing films in various formats or if desired, for viewingfilms in only a single format.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a film viewerwhich employs a multifunction support member on which variousmodular-like components of the viewer can be simply, easily, andproperly aligned and from which such components can be easily removedfor service and/or replacement.

Yet another object of the instant invention is to provide such a filmviewer which includes a simple and effective base structure whcihfunctions to carry the aforementioned support member; receive, retainand support the frame of the viewer; and support the light systemassociated with the viewer.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide aparticularly efficient light system employing novel heat dissipatingstructures.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a lens systememploying such construction as to permit ready movement with variousdegrees of freedom.

Yet another object of the instant invention is to provide a film guidemember provided with a novel roller construction which permits filmguiding edges associated with such guiding member to be uniformly spacedfrom roll film passing therebeneath regardless of the thickness of theroll film employed. Additionally, and as will be described in greaterdetail, a retaining means removably secured to the multifunction supportmember is provided to properly restrain the aforementioned film guidemeans from certain movements while at the same time allow such filmguiding means to experience a preselected amount of vertical motion.

Other objects of the instant invention as well as a better understandingthereof may be had by referring to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the film viewer of the instantinvention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the viewer of the instant invention with therear cover section thereof removed;

FIG. 3 is a side view partially in section of a portion of the apparatusof the instant invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view partly in section of another portion of theinstant invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the lens system of the instantinvention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG.5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion of theapparatus shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the film guiding means of the instantinvention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the film guiding means of FIG. 9 andfurther showing the manner in which such film guiding means cooperateswith a multifunction support member of the instant invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG.10 and further illustrates the film guide retaining .means employed inconjunction therewith; and.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the light system of the instant invention;

Turning to the figures wherein like numbers are used to designate likeelements, and with specific reference to FIG. 1, there is shown the filmviewer 10 of the instant invention. Broadly speaking, and as will bedescribed in greater detail, the film viewer 10 includes the followingcomponents:

A base 12; a multifunction support member 14 removably secured to thebase 12; first means 16 removably secured to the support member 14 forsupporting and dispensing roll film mounted thereon; second means 18removably secured to the support member 14 for taking up the roll filmdispensed by the first means; a lens system 20 removably secured to thesupport member 14 intermediate the first means 16 and the second means18; motive means 22 removably secured to the support member 14 forselectively operating the first means 16 and the second means 18; rollfilm guide means 24 supported by the support member 14 for guiding theroll film advancing between the first means 16 and the second means I8in a path of travel over an aperture (72 shown in FIG. I) in the supportmember I4; roll film guide retaining means 26 for restraining the rollfilm guide means 24 to preselected degrees of a front cover section 34removably secured to the U- shaped frame member 32, with the front coversection 34 containing a viewing screen 36 therein; a rear cover section38 removably secured to the opposite side of the U-shaped frame member32; a reflective module 40 secured to the U-shaped frame member 32 forreflecting light received from the lens system 20 forward toward thescreen 36; a front cover panel 42 removably secured to the base I2 and asimilar rear cover panel (not shown) removably secured to the base 12.

Before going into detail as to the nature of each of the above describedcomponents, it should first be appreciated from the brief descriptionthus far presented, that the viewer 10 is of simple, economicalconstruction since it involves the assembly of a plurality ofmodular-like components easily connectable to and removable from oneanother with the simpliest of tools and by even the most unskilledpersonnel. Moreover, it should be further appreciated, especially fromthe exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, that the viewer 10 of theinstant invention can be easily serviced since each of the variousmodular-like components can be easily removed from the overall viewerfor repair or replacement.

Turning now to a more detailed description of the viewer, the base 12includes a planar surface 42a having a pair of upstanding side walls 44and 46 disposed along opposite longitudinal edges thereof. The sidewalls 44 and 46 include elongated slots 48 and 50 which thereby definetongue sections 52 and 54 therebetween. Each of the tongue sections 52and 54 terminate in in-tumed flange portions 56 and S8 to which themultifunction support member 14 is removably secured by appropriatefastening means (not shown) passing through the support member 14 andinto apertures 60 provided in the flange portions 56 and 58respectively.

As noted previously, the planar surface 42 of the base 12 carries thelight system 28 and additionally supports control switches broadlydesignated 62 and a transformer 64 neither of which concern the instantinvention. By appropriate fastening means, the front cover 42 and therear cover (not shown) are secured to the side walls 44 and 46 of thebase 12 to hide" the internal portions thereof.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 10, the multifunction support member14 (preferably of extruded aluminum) comprises an elongated horizontallydisposed, generally planar member having certain surfaces irregularitiesthe nature and function of which will now be explained in greaterdetail. Specifically, the support member 14 includes roll film trackmeans broadly designated 66 which guidingly receives the aforementionedroll film guide means 24 in a manner to be further described. Such rollfilm track means 66 is defined by a pair of upstanding ribs 68, 70longitudinally extending the length of the support member 14 on oppositesides of the aforementioned aperture 72 best seen in FIGS. and 11. Thedetailed construction of the roll film track means 66 will be furtherdescribed in connection with the description of the roll film guidemeans 24 and the roll film guide retaining means 26 illustrated in FIGS.10 and 11.

The support member 14 further includes a retaining channel 74 defined bythe longitudinally extended rib 70 and a third upstanding rib 76(somewhat shorter than the ribs 68 and 70) laterally displaced from therib 70 and extending parallel thereto. As will be explained in greaterdetail with respect to FIG. 3, the retaining channel 74 cooperates withan upstanding retaining wall 78 to removably support the first means 16(for dispensing roll film) and the second means I8 (for taking up rollfilm) on the support member 14.

The support member 14 further includes an elongated planar portion 80disposed between the rib- 76 and the upstanding wall 78. The portion 80together with the upstanding wall 78, functions to removably support thelens system on the support member 14. Finally, the support member 14includes front and rear retaining edges 82 and 84 upon which theaforementioned carriage means 30 is slidably supported (in the mannerdescribed in detail in the aforementioned Kinsinger application) shouldit be desirable to utilize the viewer 10 with films of various formats.

Turning to FIG. 3, there is illustrated in greater detail the manner inwhich the first means 16 for supporting and dispensing roll film and thesecond means 18 for taking up roll film dispensed by the first means areremovably supported with respect to the support member 14. Since thefirst means 16 and the second means 18 are generally similar in theirexternal configuration and in the manner in which they are removablysupported with respect to the support member 14, it will be understoodthat the description provided with respect to FIG. 3 is applicable toboth the first means and the second means 18.

Specifically, and with reference for the moment to FIG. I, the firstmeans 16 includes a planar support wall 86 for providing a backingsurface for a roll film cartridge (not shown) supported thereon. Theplanar support wall 86 includes a lower longitudinal edge 88 (also shownin FIG. 3) which is removably received in the aforedescribed retainingchannel 74. Additionally, first means 16 includes a gear housing 90,secured to the rear surface of the planar support wall 86, with the gearhousing 90 having a rear wall 92 which is removably secured to theupstanding retaining wall 78 of the support member 14 by appropriatefastening means 94 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

It will be understood, that gear housing 90 contains the necessarygearing (not shown) for properly interconnecting a shaft 96 extendingthrough the rear surface 92 of the gear housing 90 and a shaft 98extending through the planar support wall 86 of the first means 16. Thusand as well known in the art, with the aid of a pulley 100 (FIG. 2)interconnecting the output shaft 102 of the motive means 22 with theshaft 96 of the first means 16, it is possible to dispense film from aselfcontained film cartridge (not shown) suitably positioned on theshaft 98 and supported by the planar support wall 86. Since such filmdispensing from selfcontained cartridges forms no part of the instantinvention and in fact is well known in the art, further descriptionthereof will not be presented herein.

Like the first means 16, the second means 18 includes a planar supportwall M4 for providing a backing surface for a roll film take up reel Hi6supported thereon. With reference to FIG. 3, like the planar supportwall 86 of the first means 16, the planar support wall I04 of the secondmeans I8 includes a lower longitudinal edge 108 which is removablyreceived by the aforedescribed retaining channel 74.

The second means 18 further includes a gear housing 1 10 secured to therear of the planar support wall 104 with such gear housing having a rearwall 112 by which the gear housing 1 10 is removably connected to theupstanding retaining wall 78 of the support member 14 by appropriatefastening means 114 shown in FIGS. 2 and The gear housing of the secondmeans I8 includes appropriate gearing (not shown) to interconnect ashaft 116 extending through the rear surface 112 of the gear housing I10with a shaft 118 which extends forward of the planar support wall 104 ofthe second means 18. As best seen in FIG. I, the shaft 118 supports theaforementioned take up spool 106.

As best seen in FIG. 2, a pulley 120 interconnects the output shaft 102of the motive means 22 with the shaft 116 whereby the take up spool 106can be rotated to take up film being dispensed in the aforementionedmanner by the first means 16. Again, since such operation is well knownin the art, and forms no part of the instant invention, furtherdescription thereof will not be presented. For the purposes of theinstant invention, it is sufficient to note at this point, that whenfilm is dispensed from a cartridge (not shown) activated by the firstmeans 16 and is taken up by the second means 18, such roll film willtraverse a path shown by the phantom line 120 in FIG. 1 which causes theroll film to pass over the aperture 72 (most clearly shown in FIGS. 10and I1) and under the lens system 20. As willbe explained with respectto FIGS. 9 through 11, such path of travel is established by the rollfilm guide means 24 (suitably retained by the roll film guide retainingmeans 26) in conjunction with the roll film track means 66.

Returning to a consideration of FIG. 3, from the description thus farpresented, it will be appreciated that the support member 14 performstwo important functions in its association with the first means I6 andthe second means 18. First, retaining channel 74 together with theretaining wall 78 function to removably support both the first means 16and the second means 18 with respect to the support member I4 and withrespect to the entire viewer 10. Thus considering FIG. 2, a rear view ofthe viewer 10 with a rear cover section 38 removed, it will be seen thatby simply removing the fastening screws 94 and 114, one can easilyremove for repair or replacement the entire dispensing means 16 and/ortake up means 18. Secondly, the common cooperation of the first means 16and the second means 18 with the same retaining channel 74 and theretaining wall 78 guarantees that such modules will be properly alignedwith respect to one another and with respect to all other components ofthe viewer.

Turning to FIGS. 4 through 8, the lens system 20 of the instantinvention includes a support bracket I22,

prism 124 (FIG. 7) and prism supporting means broadly designated 126 inFIG. 5. As best seen in FIG. 4, the support bracket 122 includes anupper planar surface 128 having a rather wide elongated slot 130 whichreceives the prism supporting means 126 in a manner to be furtherdescribed. Depending from opposite edges of the planar surface 128 are apair of legs 132, 134 which terminate in out-turned seating tabs 136,138 removably secured by appropriate fastening means 140 (FIG. 4) forthe aforementioned portion 80 of the multifunction support member 14.

Extending downwardly from the rearward edge 142 of the planar surface128 of the support bracket 122 is a rear portion 144 of the bracket 122which extends over and generally parallel to the retaining wall 78 ofthe support member 14 when the lens system is removably secured to thesupport member 14. Passing through the rear portion 144 of the supportbracket 122 and in screw threaded relationship therewith, are aplurality of adjusting screws 146 the inner ends 148 of which come intoabutting contact with the upstanding retaining wall 78 of the supportmember 14. It will be appreciated that by rotating the adjusting screws146 such as to effect inward or outward movement of the rearward wallportion 144 of the bracket 122 with respect to the retaining wall 78 ofthe support member 14, it is possible to vary and therefore adjust theangular positioning of the entire lens system 20 with respect to thesupport member 14. Such angular adjustment capability is represented inFIG. 4 by the two way arrow 150.

Turning to FIG. 5, the prism supporting means broadly designated 126includes a barrel retaining means 152 and the barrel 154 which carriesthe aforementioned prism 124 in a manner which will be further describedwith respect to FIG. 7. The prism supporting means 126 comprising thebarrel retaining means 152 and the barrel 154 all cooperate with oneanother and the bracket 122 to permit selective vertical and transversemovement of the prism with respect to the support member 14 and also topermit selected rotational movement of the prism with respect to an axisperpendicular to the plane of the support member 14 (as represented bythe arrow 160 in FIG. 5). As will be appreciated, such movements aredesirable in order to properly focus and position the lens system withrespect to film positioned therebeneath.

Specifically, secured to the planar surface 128 of the support bracket122 and upstanding therefrom is a gnerally Ushaped or bifurcated member162 the legs 164 and 166 of which are provided with apertures 168 and170 respectively which freely support for both Iongitudinal androtational motion an adjustment shaft 172 having an operating knob 174secured at one end thereof. Fixedly secured on the shaft 172 is a gear176 which is sandwiched between the legs 178 and 180 of a generallyinverted U-shaped member 182 secured to one wall 184 of the generallyrectangular (in cross section) barrel retaining member 152. It should bepointed out that the wall 184 contains an elongated opening or window(not shown in FIG. 5) by which the peripheral teeth of the gear 176 passthrough the wall 184 and into engagement with rings 186 provided on theexterior of the generally cylindrical barrel 154. Also, the barrel 154is provided with an enlarged ring portion 188 at its upper end thereofby which the user can easily rotate the barrel 154 with respect to thebarrel retaining means 152.

Should one wish to move the prism 124 carried by the barrel 154 in atransverse direction along the shaft 156, he simply grasps the knob 174of the shaft 172 and either pushes or pulls the shaft in the directiondesired. Since the gear 176 is rigidly secured to the shaft 172 andfurthermore, since such gear is sandwiched in the member 182 fixed tothe wall 184 of the barrel retaining means 152, the pushing or pullingof the shaft 172 will effect transverse movement of the shaft 172, thegear 176, the member 182, the retaining means 152, the barrel 154carried thereby and the prism 124 located within the barrel 154. Itmight be pointed out, and as illustrated in FIG. 6, that the oppositewall 190 of the barrel retaining means 152 is provided with a channel192 which slidingly receives the upper planar surface 128 of the supportbracket 122. Preferably, a frictional element 194 in the form of anelongated bent spring leaf type member is inserted in the channel 192 toprovide a predetermined amount of resistance to the sliding motion ofthe barrow retaining means 152 with respect to the support bracket 122to facilitate transverse positioning of the lens system with respect tothe support member 14.

To adjust the vertical position of the prism 124 with respect to thesupport member 14, the knob 174 is rotated which in turn rotates thegear 176 the peripheral teeth of which (passing through the window inthe wall 184) cooperate with the rings 186 provided on the barrel 154 toeither raise or lower the barrel 154 with respect to the support member14. Finally, to rotate the entire prism 124 with respect to an axisperpendicular to the support member 14, one simply grasps the enlargedring 188 and rotates the entire barrel in the di rection represented bythe double headed arrow 160. It will be appreciated that since the rings186 are individually continuous about the circumference of the barrel154 (and not spirally related to the barrel 154), one can rotate thebarrel 154 without raising or lowering such barrel with respect to thesupport member 14.

Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8, it will be seen that the barrel 154,preferably of extruded aluminium, contains an internal wall 196 againstwhich prism 124 is removably retained by a generally L-shaped bracket198 carried on one end of a screw threaded stem 200 threadably receivedin an aperture provided in the wall of the barrel 154. Thus should theprism 124 require replacemerit, one simply inserts a screw driver in theslotted end 202 of the stern 200, rotates same, and allows the prism 124to be removed from the bottom of the barrel 154.

As best shown in FIG. 8, the bottom of the barrel 154 includes aplurality of tapped openings 204 which receive appropriate fasteningmeans 206 to removably secure a primary lens support plate 208 to thebottom of the barrel 154. The plate 208 has an elongated notch 210therein the edges 212 of which guidingly support and are received by acircumfrential slot or channel 214 provided in the exterior casing 216on a primary lens system broadly designated 218 in FIGS. 5 and 8. Thesupport plate 208 further includes spring biased retention means 220 forpermiting the primary lens sub-system 218 to be easily removed from orretained by the support plate 208.

Specifically, the retention means 220 includes a somewhat J-shaped hook222 mounted for rotational movement on the plate 208 about a pivotalaxis 224. A spring element 226 (only one arm of which is shown in FIG.8) cooperates with the hook 222 and a stop 226 to constantly bias thehook shape member 222 in a clockwise direction with respect to the axis224. The tip 228 of the member 222 is defined by gradually sloppingsurfaces 230 and 232 whereby the primary lens sub-system 218 can rotatethe member 222 against the bias of the spring 226 whenever it is desiredto insert or remove the lens 218 from the rear of the knotch 2110.

It will be appreciated that when the primary lens subsystem 218 is inits proper location at the rear of the slot 210 of the plate 208, suchlens 218 is properly aligned with respect to the prism 124 positionedthereabove and moreover will necessarily experience the various degreesof movement (vertical, transverse and rotational) which were previouslydescribed with respect to the prism 124, the barrel 154, and the barrelretaining means I52.

Turning to FIGS. 9 through 11, there is shown the details of the rollfilm guide means 24, the roll film guide retaining means 26, and themanner in which both members cooperate with the multifunction supportmember 14. Specifically, it will be seen perhaps most clearly in FIG.10, that the roll film track means previously broadly designated by thecharacter 66 actually includes a first track 234 having a width 236established by the spacing between the pair of upstanding ribs 68 and70, and a second track 238, of a width 240 less than the width 236, withthe second track 238 being situated in a plane below the plane of thefirst track 234. As seen in FIG. 10, the film aperture 72 has a widthless than the width 240 of the second track 238.

As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 11, the roll film guide means 24 includes abody member 242 comprising a pair of side walls 244 and 246 preferablyintegrally joined to one another by a pair of top walls 248 and 250. Theside walls 244 and 246 include longitudinally extending depending filmguiding edges 252 and 254 which are spaced apart by a distance greaterthan the width of the aperture 72 but less than the width 240 of thesecond track 238.

Each end of the thus defined slotted body member 242 further supportsshafts 258 and 260 which rotatably carry rollers 262 and 264respectively. As best seen in FIG. 10, the peripheral edges 266 of suchrollers 262 and 264 extend below the aforementioned film guiding edges252 and 254 which extend along the length of the side walls 244, 246 ofthe body member 242.

Thus, and regardless of the thickness of the film indicated at 268 inFIG. 10, there will always be a constant predetermined gap (indicated bythe dimension 270 in FIG. 10) between the film guiding edges 252, 254and the film itself. Moreover, this gap is critical since if the filmguiding edges 252 and 254 were to touch the film, the frictional forcesdeveloped would impede the film movement, while at the same time if thegap is too large the film 268 would be free to buckle enough to causefocusing problems. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, theuse of the rollers 262 and 264 extending below the film guiding edges252 and 254 assures that the preselected gap will be maintainedregardless of the film thickness, and such system is to be distinguishedfrom the prior art in which different roll film guide members with filmguiding edges of varying dimensions must be interchangeably useddepending upon the thickness of the particular roll film being employed.

From the description thus far presented, it will be appreciated that asroll film passes beneath, and in fact engages the peripheral edges 266of the rollers 262 and 264 of the film guide means 24; the guide means24, if not properly restrained, would experience lateral motion in thedirection of film travel. In the instant invention, roll film guideretaining means 26 cooperates with the roll film guide means 24 andprevents movement of the roll film guide means 24 in a lateral directionwhile at the same time, and for purposes to be further described, allowsa predetermined amount of movement of the roll film guide means 24 inthe vertical direction.

Specifically, retaining means 26 includes a generally U-shaped upperplanar portion 272 the legs 274 and 276 of which include partialchannelways 278 and 288 respectively which receive projections 282 and284 extending in opposite directions from top walls 248 and 250 of thebody member 242 of the guide means 24. It will be appreciated from theexploded view of FIG. 11, that such channelways 278 and 280 actuallyreceive the projections 282 and 284 when the lower planar portion 286 ofthe generally Z-shaped (in cross section) retaining member 26 isremovably secured to the intermediate portion of the support member 14as by appropriate fastening means illustrated at 288 in FIG. I]. Itshould be noted that the lateral depths of the channelways 278 and 280are such that the projections 282 and 284 are snugly received to therebyprevent lateral (side to side) motion of the guide member 24 as the filmpasses between the second track 238 of the roll film track means broadlydesignated 66 and the peripheral edges 266 of the rollers 262, 264 andthe film guiding edges 252, 254.

Concerning the height or vertical dimension of the channelways 278 and280 of the retaining means 26, it should be appreciated that normallymicrofilm in roll form includes an initial leader portion which issomewhat wider than the information bearing microfilm which follows theleader portion. In FIG. 10, the width of such leader portion of themicrofilm is generally larger than the width of the second track 238(having a width 240) but less than the width of the first track 234(having a width 236). Accordingly, when the leader is first threadedunder the guide member 24 (normally by well known self threadingmechanism), the leader portion of the film rests on the first track 234of the support member I4 and thereby causes the roll film guide means 24to be lifted vertically by a distance corresponding to the dimension 298in FIG. 10. Accordingly the vertical dimension of the channelways 278and 280 of the retaining means 26 of FIG. 11 must be and is selected ofsufficient height to allow the projections 282 and 284 to experiencevertical movement within the channelways 278 and 280 at least as greatas the dimension 290 in FIG. 18. From the above, it will be appreciatedthat the roll film guide retaining means 26 which is removably securedto the support member 14 prevents movement of the roll film guide means24 in two directions (side to side) while allowing a predeterminedamount of movement of the roll film guide means 24 in a third, verticaldirection.

Turning to FIG. 12, the light system of the instant invention comprisesa housing 292 having an upper surface 294 in which is positioned byappropriate means a condensing lens 296. Located in a side wall 298 ofthe housing, and at one end thereof, are air outlet openings 300 whilepositioned within the housing at the opposite end thereof is a fanbroadly designated 302. The light system further includes a light source304, a reflecting bowl 306, and a reflecting mirror 308 the purpose ofwhich is to direct light from the light source up toward the condensinglens 296 whereby the light may pass through the film (in this caseillustrated as microfilm in roll form following the path 120) to bemagnified by the primary lens sub-system 218, appropriately directed bythe prism 124 and reflected by the reflection module 40 (FIG. 1) to thescreen 36.

The light system 28 further includes novel heat trap means broadlydesignated 310 positioned about a portion of the path of light(indicated by the dimension 312) for traping heat therein, whereby airheated by the light can be contained near the longitudinal center of thehousing for efficient disposal thereof by air currents generated by thefan 302 in the manner to be presently described.

More specifically, the heat trap means includes a generally elongatedcylinder 314 terminating in a frustroconical portion 316 at one endthereof. At the other end 318, the cylinder 314 is spaced from thereflective bowl 306 to create a venturi effect for the hot air trappedin the heat trap means 310 when the fan 302 directs air current passedthe space 320 between the end 318 of the cylinder 314 and the reflectingbowl 306. Thus hot air will be sucked out of the space 320 by therushing air currents generated by the fan 302 and quickly disposed ofthrough the openings 300 in the side wall 298 of the housing 292.Additionally, partitions 322 and 324 are positioned between the cylinder314 and the wall of the housing 292 for directing air currents generatedby the fan 302 passed the spaces 320 to help create the venturi effectand also for aiding in maintaining hot air close to the center of thehousing 292. Finally, it should be noted that the reflecting plate 308is constructed in a manner well known in the art to permit the passageof infrared light therethrough (represented by the wavy lines 326) whilereflecting white light toward the condensing lens 296. In thisconnection another heat sink member 328 is disposed behind thereflecting plate 308 to help dissipate the infrared light.

Returning to FIG. 1, the frame 32 as noted, is generally U-shaped andpreferably manufactured as an aluminium extrusion. The frame includes apair of stiffening ribs 334 and 336 which are received by the slots 48and 50 in the side walls 44 and 46 of the base 12 when the frame 32 isremovably secured to the base 12 by appropriate fastening meansillustrated at 338 passing through the apertures provided in the frame32 into screw threaded engagement with the apertures provided in theside walls 44 and 46 of the base. Additionally, the frame 32 includes apair of protuberances 340 positioned forward of the rib 334 and asimilar pair of protuberances 342 positioned rearwardly of the secondstrengthening rib 336. Finally, the strengthening rib 334 carries a pairof clips 346 on the forward side thereof while the second rib 336carries a similar pair of clips (not shown in FIG. 1) secured to therearward facing side thereof.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the rear cover section 38 ('preferably'of moldedplastic) includes a seating flange 348 which is slipped under theprotuberances 342 and into the clips provided on the outward side of thesec- 0nd rib 336 when it is desired to removably secure the rear coversection 38 to the U-shaped frame 32. In similar fashion, the front coversection 34 includes an enlarged seating flange 350 which is slippedunder the protuberances 340 and into the clips 346 provided on the firststrengthening rib 334 when it is desirable to removably secure the frontcover section 34 to the frame 32. Finally, it should be noted that thereflecting module 40 is secured by appropriate fastening means on theinside surface 352 of the second strengthening rib 336.

From the above; it will be appreciated that the instant inventionprovides a very simple, economical, modular like film viewer which canbe easily constructed, and easily serviced with the simpliest of toolsby even the most unskilled personnel. If desired, the viewer can beemployed to view microfilm in roll form alone or the carriage 30described in detail in the aforementioned Kinsinger application may beemployed in conjunction with the viewer of the instant invention to viewfilm of various film formats.

Although this invention has been described with respect to its preferredembodiments, it should be understood that many variations andmodifications will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, and it ispreferred, therefore, that the scope of the invention be limited not bythe specific disclosure herein, only by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A film viewer comprising:

a base a multifunction support member secured to said base, said supportmember having an aperture therethrough;

first means secured to said support member for sup porting anddispensing roll film mountedthereon', second means secured to saidsupport member for taking up roll film dispensed by said first means;

a lens system secured to said support member intermediate said first andsecond means and over said aperture;

a light system for causing light to be passed through said aperture andtoward said lens system; roll film guide means supported by said supportmember for guiding roll film between said first and second means in apath of travel over said aperture;

motive means for operating said first and second means; wherein saidfirst means is removably secured to said support member; and said lenssystem is removably secured to said support member; and wherein saidroll film guide means is movably supported on said support member; and

carriage means for carrying plate film, said carriage means beingslidably supported by said support member in a path of travel whichpermits plate film carried by said carriage means to be selectivelylocated in the path of said light.

2. The film viewer of claim 1 wherein said support member includes rollfilm track means therein; and

said roll film guide means is received by said roll film track means.

3. The film viewer of claim 2 wherein said roll film track means isdefined by a pair of upstanding ribs longitudinally extending along thelength of said support member on opposite sides of said aperture.

4. The film viewer of claim 3 wherein said roll film guide meansincludes:

a slotted body member having a pair of depending film guiding edgesspaced apart by a distance greater than the width of said aperture; and

at least one pair of rollers rotatably carried by said body member;

the periphery of said rollers extending below said film guiding edges,whereby a unitorm gap will be established between said roll film andsaid film guiding edges regardless of the thickness of the roll filmdisposed between said roll film track means and said roll film guidemeans.

5. The film viewer of claim 3 and further including roll film guideretaining means removably secured to said support member for preventingmovement of said roll film guide means in two directions while allowinga predetermined amount of movement of said roll film guide means in athird direction; whereby said roll film guide means can be employed withfilms of various thicknesses.

6. The film viewer of claim 1 wherein said lens system includes:

support bracket means removably secured to said support member;

a prism; and

prism supporting means movably mounted with respect to said supportbracket means for selective vertical and transverse movement of saidprism with respect to said support member and for selective rotationalmovement of said prism with respect to an axis perpendicular to theplane of said support member.

7. The film viewer of claim 6 wherein said support member includes aretaining channel therein and a retaining wall thereon; said first meansand said second means each including an edge portion received in saidretaining channel and a seating portion removably secured to saidretaining wall; and

further including adjustment means cooperating with said retaining walland a portion of said support bracket means for selective positioning ofsaid axis.

8. The film viewer of claim 6 wherein said prism supporting meansincludes:

barrel retaining means mounted on said support bracket means for saidtransverse movement with respect to said support member; and

a prism carrying barrel mounted on said support bracket means for saidvertical and rotation movement with respect to said support member.

9. The film viewer of claim 8 wherein said barrel has externallyprovided rings thereon; said barrel retaining means has an openingtherethrough; and

further including gear means rotatably mounted with respect to saidsupport bracket means and extending through said opening and intoengagement with said rings for effecting said vertical movement of saidprism barrel.

10. The film viewer of claim 9 wherein said gear means is secured to anadjustment shaft rotatably supported with respect to said supportbracket means; and

wherein said shaft is longitudinally fixed with respect to said barrelretaining means and longitudinally slidable with respect to said supportbracket means; whereby said shaft can he slid in a transverse directionwith respect to said support member to effectuate said transversemovement, and said shaft can be rotated to effectuate said verticalmovement.

11. The film viewer of claim 10 wherein said shaft is located on oneside of said barrel retaining means; and further including frictionmeans located on the oppo' site side of said barrel retaining means andcooperatively positioned with respect to barrel retaining means and saidsupport bracket means for preselectively restricting the free slidingmovement of said barrel retaining means with respect to said supportbracket means.

12. The film viewer of claim 10 wherein said support member includes aretaining channel therein and a retaining wall thereon; said first meansand said second means each including an edge portion received in saidretaining channel and a seating portion removably secured to saidretaining wall; and

further including adjustment means cooperating with said retaining walland a portion of said support bracket means for selective positioning ofsaid axis.

13. The film viewer of claim 12 wherein said portion of said supportbracket means extends parallel to said retaining wall, and saidadjustment means comprises at least one screw threaded elementthreadably received by said portion of said support bracket means; oneend of said element being accessible for rotation thereof, the other endof said element being in abuting contact with said retaining wall.-

14. The film viewer of claim 8 wherein said barrel is an extrudedplastic cylinder and includes an integral wall extending along andwithin the length thereof; and said prism is supported within saidbarrel against said wall.

15. The film viewer of claim 8 wherein said lens system further includesa primary lens subsystem removably supported by said barrel beneath saidprism.

16. The film viewer of claim 15 and further including a primary lenssubsystem support plate removably secured to the bottom of said barrel;said support plate having a notch therein to receive and support saidprimary lens sub-system and being provided with biased retention meansfor permitting said primary lens subsystem to be removed from orretained by said support plate.

17. The film viewer of claim 15 wherein said light system comprises:

a light source;

a reflecting bowl positioned behind said light source;

and

condensing lens means positioned to receive light from said source andpass said light through said aperture toward said primary lenssubsystem;

said light source being positioned with respect to said condensing lensto produce an oversized cone of light whereby said primary lenssubsystem can be extensively moved with said barrel without severe lightloss.

18. A film viewer comprising:

a base a multifunction support member secured to said base, said supportmember having an aperture therethrough;

first means secured to said support member for supporting and dispensingroll film mounted thereon; second means secured to said support memberfor taking up roll film dispensed by said first means;

a lens system secured to said support member intermediate said first andsecond means and over said aperture;

a light system for causing light to be passed through said aperture andtoward said lens system;

roll film guide means supported by said support member for guiding rollfilm between said first and second means in a path of travel over saidaperture; and

motive means for operating said first and second means; wherein saidsupport member is removably secured to said base; wherein said baseincludes first and second upstanding side walls, each of said side wallshaving first and second elongated slots therein to define a tonguesection therebetween; each of said tongue sections terminating in aninturned flange portion; said support member being removably secured atopposite ends thereof to said inturned flange portions.

19. The film viewer of claim 18 and further including a generallyU-shaped frame member having a pair of strengthening ribs located on theinterior surface thereof;

said frame member being removably secured to said base member with saidslots in said side walls receiving said strengthening ribs of said framemember.

20. The film viewer of claim 18 wherein said base includes a planarsurface disposed between said side walls, said light system beingsupported on said planar surface beneath said support member.

21. The film viewer of claim 20 wherein said light system comprises:

a light source;

a reflecting bowl positioned behind said light source;

and

condensing lens means positioned to receive light from said source andpass said light through said aperture toward said primary lenssub-system. 22. The film viewer of claim 2 and further including ahousing within which said light source and said reflecting bowl aresituated;

said housing having an opening in an upper surface thereof;

said condensing lens system being situated in said opening, and furtherincluding reflecting plate means positioned in said housing beneath saidcondensing lens system for directing light from said light source uptoward said condensing lens system.

23. The film viewer of claim 22 wherein one end of said housing has airoutlet openings therein, and the other end of said housing houses a fan.

24. The film viewer of claim 23 wherein said heat trap means includes agenerally elongated cylinder terminating in a frustroconical portion atone end thereof; the other end of said cylinder being spaced from saidreflecting bowl to create a venturi effect for the hot air trapped insaid heat trap means when said fan directs air currents past the spacebetween said other end and said reflecting bowl.

25. A film view comprising:

a base a multifunction support member secured to said base, said supportmember having an aperture therethrough;

first means secured to said support member for supporting and dispensingroll film mounted thereon; second means secured to said support memberfor taking up roll film dispensed by said first means;

a lens system secured to said support member intermediate said first andsecond means and over said aperture;

a light system for causing light to be passed through said aperture andtoward said lens system;

roll film guide means supported by said support member for guiding rollfilm between said first and second means in a path of travel over saidaperture; and

motive means for operating said first and second means; and furtherincluding a reflecting mirror positioned to reflect light received fromsaid lens system; and further including a generally U-shaped framemember removably secured to said base member, and a front cover sectionremovably secured to said frame member said front cover sec tion havinga screen therein to receive light reflected from said reflecting mirror.

26. The film viewer of claim 25 wherein said base includes first andsecond upstanding side walls, each of said side walls having first andsecond elongated slots therein to define a tongue section therebetween;each of said tongue sections terminating in an inturned flange portion;said support member removably secured at opposite ends thereof to saidinturned flange portions;

wherein said frame member has a pair of strengthening ribs located onthe interior surface thereof which are received by said slots in saidside walls when said frame member is removably secured to said base; and

said front cover section includes a seating flange which seats on one ofsaid strengthening ribs when said front cover section is removablysecured to said frame member.

27. The film viewer of claim 26 and further inciuding a rear coversection removably secured to said frame member; said rear cover sectionincluding a seating flange which seats on the other one of saidstrengthem ing ribs when said rear cover section is removably secured tosaid frame member.

28. The film viewer of claim 27 wherein said reflecting mirror isremovably secured along one edge thereof to the other one of saidstrengthening ribs, and removably secured along a second edge thereof tosaid other one of said strengthening ribs.

29. The film viewer of claim 27 wherein said frame member includes:

a first set of protuberances on the interior surface thereof and locatedexteriorly of said one of said strengthening ribs;

a first set of retaining clips on the exterior facing side of said oneof said strengthening ribs;

a second set of protuberances on the interior surface of said framemember and located exteriorly of said other of said strengthening ribsand a second set of retaining clips on the exterior facing side of saidother of said strengthening ribs;

said front cover section being removably retained against said one ofsaid strengthening ribs by said first set of protubrances and said firstset of retaining clips;

said rear cover section being removably retained against said other ofsaid strengthening ribs by said second set of protuberances, and saidsecond set ofretaining clips.

30. A film viewer comprising:

a base a multifunction support member secured to said base, said supportmember having an aperture therethrough;

first means secured to said support member for supporting and dispensingroll film mounted thereon; second means secured to said support memberfor taking up roll film dispensed by said first means;

a lens system secured to said support member intermediate said first andsecond means and over said aperture;

a light system for causing light to be passed through said aperture andtoward said lens system;

roll film guide means supported by said support member for guiding rollfilm between said first and second means in a path of travel over saidaperture; and

motive means for operating said first and second means; wherein saidfirst means is removably secured to said support member; said secondmeans is removably secured to said support member; and said lens systemis removably secured to said support member; wherein said support memberincludes a retaining channel therein and a retaining wall thereon; saidfirst means and said second means each including an edge portionreceived in said retaining channel and a seating portion removablysecured to said retaining wall.

31. The film viewer of claim 30 wherein said lens system is removablysecured at one point thereof to said support member and adjustablypositioned at a second point thereof with respect to said retainingwall.

32. The film viewer of claim 31 wherein said motive means is removablysecured to said support member.

33. The film viewer of claim 32 wherein said motive means is carried bya motor support bracket removably secured to said retaining wall.

34. The film viewer of claim 30 and further including carriage means forcarrying plate film, said carriage means being slidably supported bysaid support member in a path of travel which permits plate film carriedby said carriage means to be selectively located in the path of saidlight; and

wherein said support member includes front and rear retaining edges uponwhich said carriage means is slidably supported.

35. The film viewer of claim 31 and further including carriage means forcarrying plate film, said carriage means being sidably supported by saidsupport member in a path of travel which permits plate film carried bysaid carriage means to selectively located in the path of said light;and

wherein said support member includes front and rear retaining edges uponwhich said carriage means is slidably supported.

36. The film viewer of claim 30 wherein said support member includesroll film track means therein; and

said roll film guide means is received by said roll film track means.

37. The film viewer of claim 36 wherein said roll film track means isdefined by a pair of upstanding ribs longitudinally extending along thelength of said support member on opposite sides of said aperture.

38. The film viewer of claim 27 wherein said retaining channel isdefined by one of said pair of upstanding ribs and a third upstandingrib laterally displaced from one of said pair of upstanding ribs andextending parallel thereto.

39. The film viewer of claim 27 wherein said roll film guide meansincludes:

a slotted body member having a pair of depending film guiding edgesspaced apart by a distance greater than the width of said aperture; and

at least one pair of rollers rotatably carried by said body member; theperiphery of said rollers extending below said film guiding edgeswhereby a uniform gap will be established between said roll film andsaid film guiding edges regardless of the thickness of the roll filmdisposed between said roll film track means and said roll film guidemeans.

40. The film viewer of claim 39 and further including roll film guideretaining means removably secured to said support member for preventingmovement of said roll film guide means in two directions while allowinga predetermined amount of movement of said roll film guide means in athird direction; whereby said roll film guide means can be employed withfilm of various thicknesses.

41. The film viewer of claim 37 wherein said roll film track meansincludes:

a first track of a first predetermined width established by the spacingbetween said pair of upstanding ribs said first track being situated ina first predetermined plane; and

a second track of a second predetermined width less than said firstpredetermined width, said second track being situated in a second planebelow said first predetermined width.

42. The film viewer of claim 41 wherein said roll film 35 guide meansincludes:

a slotted body member having a pair of longitudinally extendingdepending film guiding edges spaced apart by a distance greater than thewidth of said aperture but less than said second predetermined width;and

at least one pair of rollers rotatably carried by said body member andreceived in said second track; the periphery of said rollers, extendingbelow said film guiding edges.

43. The film viewer of claim 42 wherein said depending film guide edgeshave a depth at least equal to the distance between said first andsecond planes.

44. The film viewer of claim 42 and further including roll film guideretaining means removably secured to said support member for preventingmovement of said roll film guide means in two directions while allowinga predetermined amount of movement of said roll film guide means in athird direction; whereby said roll film guide means can be employed withfilm of various thicknesses.

45. The film viewer of claim 44 wherein said body member of said rollfilm guide means includes a pair of oppositely extending projections;and wherein said roll film guide retaining means includes a pair of armseach of which has a partial channelway therethrough to re ceive one ofsaid projections; the length and width of said partial channelway beingpreselectively chosen to restain longitudinal and rectilinear motion ofsaid roll 5 film guide means, the depth of said partial channelways 46.The film viewer of claim 30 wherein said first means includes:

a planar support wall for providing a backing surface for a roll filmcartridge supported thereon, a lower longitudinal edge of said wallconstituting said edge portion of said first means which is received insaid retaining channel; and

a gear housing secured to the rear surface of said planar support wall,said gear housing having a rear wall which constitutes said seatingportion of said first means which is removablysecured to said retainingwall.

47. The film viewer of claim 46 wherein said second means includes:

a planar support wall for providing a backing surface for a roll filmtake up reel supported thereon, a lower longitudinal edge of said wallconstituting said edge portion of said second means which is re ceivedin said retaining channel; and

a gear housing secured to the rear surface of said planar support wall,said gear housing having a rear wall which constitutes said seatingportion of said second means which is removably secured to saidretaining wall.

48. The film viewer of claim 47 wherein said lens system is removablysecured at one point thereof to said support member and adjustablypositioned at a second point thereof with respect to said retainingwall.

49. The film viewer of claim 30 wherein said lens system includes: I

support bracket means removably secured to said support member;

a prism; and

prism supporting means movably mounted with respect to said supportbracket means for selective vertical and transverse movement of saidprism with respect to said support member and for selec' tive rotationalmovement of said prism with respect to an axis perpendicular'to theplane of said sup 7 port member. 50. The film viewer of claim 49 whereinsaid prism supporting means includes: 1

barrel retaining means mounted on said support bracket means for saidtransverse movement with respect to said support member; and a prismcarrying barrel mounted on said support bracket means for said verticaland rotational movement with respect to said support member. 51. Thefilm viewer of claim 50 wherein said barrel has externally providedrings thereon; said barrel re taining means has an opening therethrough;

further including gear means rotatably mounted with respect to saidsupport bracket means and extending through said opening and intoengagement with said rings for effecting said vertical movement of saidprism barrel; wherein said gear means is secured to an adjustment shaftrotatably supported with respect to said support bracket means; andwherein said shaft is longitudinally fixed with respect to said barrelretaining means and longitudinally slidable with respect to said supportbracket means; whereby said shaft can be slid in a transverse directionwith respect to said support member to effectuate said transversemovement, and said shaft can be rotated to effectuate said verticalmovement. 52 A film viewer comprising: a base a multifunction supportmember secured to said base, said support member having an aperturetherethrough;

first means secured to said support member for supporting and dispensingroll film mounted thereon;

second means secured to said support member for taking up roll filmdispensed by said first means;

a lens system secured to said support member intermediate said first andsecond means and over said aperture;

a light system for causing light to be passed through said aperture andtoward said lens system;

roll film guide means supported by said support member for guiding rollfilm between said first and second means in a path of travel over saidaperture; and

motive means for operating said first and second means; wherein saidlight system comprises:

a light source;

a reflecting bowl positioned behind said light source;

and

condensing lens means positioned to receive light from said source andpass said light through said aperture toward said primary lenssubsystem, and further including a housing within which said lightsource and said reflecting bowl are situated;

said housing having an opening in an upper surface thereof;

said condensing lens system being situated in said opening, and furtherincluding reflecting plate means positioned in said housing beneath saidcondensing lens system for directing light from said light source uptoward said condensing lens system, wherein one end of said housing hasair outlet openings therein, and the other end of said housing houses afan, and further including heat trap means positioned about a portion ofthe path of light between said light source and said condensing lens fortrapping heat therein; whereby air heated by said light can be containednear the longitudinal center of said housing for efficient disposalthereof by air currents generated by said fan; wherein said heat trapmeans includes a generally elongated cylinder terminating in afrustroconical portion at one end thereof; the other end of saidcylinder being spaced from said reflection bowl to create a venturieffect for the hot air trapped in said heat trap means when said fandirects air currents passed the space between said other end and saidreflecting bowl.

53. The film viewer of claim 52 and further including partition meanspositioned between said heat trap means and the walls of said housingfor directing air currents generated by said fan passed said space tocreate said venturi effect and for aiding in maintaining air heated bysaid light close to said center of said housing.

54. The film viewer of claim 52 wherein said reflecting plate meanspermits the passage of infrared light therethrough and reflection ofwhite light toward said condensing lens system; and

further including a metallic heat sink located behind said reflectingplate means.

1. A film viewer comprising: a base a multifunction support membersecured to said base, said support member having an aperturetherethrough; first means secured to said support member for supportingand dispensing roll film mounted thereon; second means secured to saidsupport member for taking up roll film dispensed by said first means; alens system secured to said support member intermediate said first andsecond means and over said aperture; a light system for causing light tobe passed through said aperture and toward said lens system; roll filmguide means supported by said support member for guiding roll filmbetween said first and second means in a path of travel over saidaperture; motive means for operating said first and second means;wherein said first means is removably secured to said support member;and said lens system is removably secured to said support member; andwherein said roll film guide means is movably supported on said supportmember; and carriage means for carrying plate film, said carriage meansbeing slidably supported by said support member in a path of travelwhich permits plate film carried by said carriage means to beselectively located in the path of said light.
 2. The film viewer ofclaim 1 wherein said support member includes roll film track meanstherein; and said roll film guide means is received by said roll filmtrack means.
 3. The film viewer of claim 2 wherein said roll film trackmeans is defined by a pair of upstanding ribs longitudinally extendingalong the length of said support member on opposite sides of saidaperture.
 4. The film viewer of claim 3 wherein said roll film guidemeans includes: a slotted body member having a pair of depending filmguiding edges spaced apart by a distance greater than the width of saidaperture; and at least one pair of rollers rotatably carried by saidbody member; the periphery of said rollers extending below said filmguiding edges, whereby a unitorm gap will be established between saidroll film and said film guiding edges regardless of the thickness of theroll film disposed between said roll film track means and said roll filmguide means.
 5. The film viewer of claim 3 and further including rollfilm guide retaining means removably secured to said support member forpreventing movement of said roll film guide means in two directionswhile allowing a predetermined amount of movement of said roll filmguide means in a third direCtion; whereby said roll film guide means canbe employed with films of various thicknesses.
 6. The film viewer ofclaim 1 wherein said lens system includes: support bracket meansremovably secured to said support member; a prism; and prism supportingmeans movably mounted with respect to said support bracket means forselective vertical and transverse movement of said prism with respect tosaid support member and for selective rotational movement of said prismwith respect to an axis perpendicular to the plane of said supportmember.
 7. The film viewer of claim 6 wherein said support memberincludes a retaining channel therein and a retaining wall thereon; saidfirst means and said second means each including an edge portionreceived in said retaining channel and a seating portion removablysecured to said retaining wall; and further including adjustment meanscooperating with said retaining wall and a portion of said supportbracket means for selective positioning of said axis.
 8. The film viewerof claim 6 wherein said prism supporting means includes: barrelretaining means mounted on said support bracket means for saidtransverse movement with respect to said support member; and a prismcarrying barrel mounted on said support bracket means for said verticaland rotation movement with respect to said support member.
 9. The filmviewer of claim 8 wherein said barrel has externally provided ringsthereon; said barrel retaining means has an opening therethrough; andfurther including gear means rotatably mounted with respect to saidsupport bracket means and extending through said opening and intoengagement with said rings for effecting said vertical movement of saidprism barrel.
 10. The film viewer of claim 9 wherein said gear means issecured to an adjustment shaft rotatably supported with respect to saidsupport bracket means; and wherein said shaft is longitudinally fixedwith respect to said barrel retaining means and longitudinally slidablewith respect to said support bracket means; whereby said shaft can beslid in a transverse direction with respect to said support member toeffectuate said transverse movement, and said shaft can be rotated toeffectuate said vertical movement.
 11. The film viewer of claim 10wherein said shaft is located on one side of said barrel retainingmeans; and further including friction means located on the opposite sideof said barrel retaining means and cooperatively positioned with respectto barrel retaining means and said support bracket means forpreselectively restricting the free sliding movement of said barrelretaining means with respect to said support bracket means.
 12. The filmviewer of claim 10 wherein said support member includes a retainingchannel therein and a retaining wall thereon; said first means and saidsecond means each including an edge portion received in said retainingchannel and a seating portion removably secured to said retaining wall;and further including adjustment means cooperating with said retainingwall and a portion of said support bracket means for selectivepositioning of said axis.
 13. The film viewer of claim 12 wherein saidportion of said support bracket means extends parallel to said retainingwall, and said adjustment means comprises at least one screw threadedelement threadably received by said portion of said support bracketmeans; one end of said element being accessible for rotation thereof,the other end of said element being in abuting contact with saidretaining wall.
 14. The film viewer of claim 8 wherein said barrel is anextruded plastic cylinder and includes an integral wall extending alongand within the length thereof; and said prism is supported within saidbarrel against said wall.
 15. The film viewer of claim 8 wherein saidlens system further includes a primary lens subsystem removablysupported by said barrel beneath said prism.
 16. The film viewer ofclaim 15 and further including a primary lens subsystem support plateremovably secured to the bottom of said barrel; said support platehaving a notch therein to receive and support said primary lenssub-system and being provided with biased retention means for permittingsaid primary lens subsystem to be removed from or retained by saidsupport plate.
 17. The film viewer of claim 15 wherein said light systemcomprises: a light source; a reflecting bowl positioned behind saidlight source; and condensing lens means positioned to receive light fromsaid source and pass said light through said aperture toward saidprimary lens subsystem; said light source being positioned with respectto said condensing lens to produce an oversized cone of light wherebysaid primary lens subsystem can be extensively moved with said barrelwithout severe light loss.
 18. A film viewer comprising: a base amultifunction support member secured to said base, said support memberhaving an aperture therethrough; first means secured to said supportmember for supporting and dispensing roll film mounted thereon; secondmeans secured to said support member for taking up roll film dispensedby said first means; a lens system secured to said support memberintermediate said first and second means and over said aperture; a lightsystem for causing light to be passed through said aperture and towardsaid lens system; roll film guide means supported by said support memberfor guiding roll film between said first and second means in a path oftravel over said aperture; and motive means for operating said first andsecond means; wherein said support member is removably secured to saidbase; wherein said base includes first and second upstanding side walls,each of said side walls having first and second elongated slots thereinto define a tongue section therebetween; each of said tongue sectionsterminating in an inturned flange portion; said support member beingremovably secured at opposite ends thereof to said inturned flangeportions.
 19. The film viewer of claim 18 and further including agenerally U-shaped frame member having a pair of strengthening ribslocated on the interior surface thereof; said frame member beingremovably secured to said base member with said slots in said side wallsreceiving said strengthening ribs of said frame member.
 20. The filmviewer of claim 18 wherein said base includes a planar surface disposedbetween said side walls, said light system being supported on saidplanar surface beneath said support member.
 21. The film viewer of claim20 wherein said light system comprises: a light source; a reflectingbowl positioned behind said light source; and condensing lens meanspositioned to receive light from said source and pass said light throughsaid aperture toward said primary lens sub-system.
 22. The film viewerof claim 2 and further including a housing within which said lightsource and said reflecting bowl are situated; said housing having anopening in an upper surface thereof; said condensing lens system beingsituated in said opening, and further including reflecting plate meanspositioned in said housing beneath said condensing lens system fordirecting light from said light source up toward said condensing lenssystem.
 23. The film viewer of claim 22 wherein one end of said housinghas air outlet openings therein, and the other end of said housinghouses a fan.
 24. The film viewer of claim 23 wherein said heat trapmeans includes a generally elongated cylinder terminating in afrustroconical portion at one end thereof; the other end of saidcylinder being spaced from said reflecting bowl to create a venturieffect for the hot air trapped in said heat trap means when said fandirects air currents past the space between said other end and saidreflecting bowl.
 25. A film view comprising: a base a multifunctionsupport member secured to said base, said support member having anaperture therethrough; first means secured to said support member forsupporting and dispensing roll film mounted thereon; second meanssecured to said support member for taking up roll film dispensed by saidfirst means; a lens system secured to said support member intermediatesaid first and second means and over said aperture; a light system forcausing light to be passed through said aperture and toward said lenssystem; roll film guide means supported by said support member forguiding roll film between said first and second means in a path oftravel over said aperture; and motive means for operating said first andsecond means; and further including a reflecting mirror positioned toreflect light received from said lens system; and further including agenerally U-shaped frame member removably secured to said base member,and a front cover section removably secured to said frame member saidfront cover section having a screen therein to receive light reflectedfrom said reflecting mirror.
 26. The film viewer of claim 25 whereinsaid base includes first and second upstanding side walls, each of saidside walls having first and second elongated slots therein to define atongue section therebetween; each of said tongue sections terminating inan inturned flange portion; said support member removably secured atopposite ends thereof to said inturned flange portions; wherein saidframe member has a pair of strengthening ribs located on the interiorsurface thereof which are received by said slots in said side walls whensaid frame member is removably secured to said base; and said frontcover section includes a seating flange which seats on one of saidstrengthening ribs when said front cover section is removably secured tosaid frame member.
 27. The film viewer of claim 26 and further includinga rear cover section removably secured to said frame member; said rearcover section including a seating flange which seats on the other one ofsaid strengthening ribs when said rear cover section is removablysecured to said frame member.
 28. The film viewer of claim 27 whereinsaid reflecting mirror is removably secured along one edge thereof tothe other one of said strengthening ribs, and removably secured along asecond edge thereof to said other one of said strengthening ribs. 29.The film viewer of claim 27 wherein said frame member includes: a firstset of protuberances on the interior surface thereof and locatedexteriorly of said one of said strengthening ribs; a first set ofretaining clips on the exterior facing side of said one of saidstrengthening ribs; a second set of protuberances on the interiorsurface of said frame member and located exteriorly of said other ofsaid strengthening ribs and a second set of retaining clips on theexterior facing side of said other of said strengthening ribs; saidfront cover section being removably retained against said one of saidstrengthening ribs by said first set of protubrances and said first setof retaining clips; said rear cover section being removably retainedagainst said other of said strengthening ribs by said second set ofprotuberances, and said second set of retaining clips.
 30. A film viewercomprising: a base a multifunction support member secured to said base,said support member having an aperture therethrough; first means securedto said support member for supporting and dispensing roll film mountedthereon; second means secured to said support member for taking up rollfilm dispensed by said first means; a lens system secured to saidsupport member intermediate said first and second means and over saidaperture; a light system for causing light to be passed through saidaperture and toward said lens system; roll film guide means supported bysaid support member for guiding roll film between said first and secondmeans in a path of travel over said aperture; anD motive means foroperating said first and second means; wherein said first means isremovably secured to said support member; said second means is removablysecured to said support member; and said lens system is removablysecured to said support member; wherein said support member includes aretaining channel therein and a retaining wall thereon; said first meansand said second means each including an edge portion received in saidretaining channel and a seating portion removably secured to saidretaining wall.
 31. The film viewer of claim 30 wherein said lens systemis removably secured at one point thereof to said support member andadjustably positioned at a second point thereof with respect to saidretaining wall.
 32. The film viewer of claim 31 wherein said motivemeans is removably secured to said support member.
 33. The film viewerof claim 32 wherein said motive means is carried by a motor supportbracket removably secured to said retaining wall.
 34. The film viewer ofclaim 30 and further including carriage means for carrying plate film,said carriage means being slidably supported by said support member in apath of travel which permits plate film carried by said carriage meansto be selectively located in the path of said light; and wherein saidsupport member includes front and rear retaining edges upon which saidcarriage means is slidably supported.
 35. The film viewer of claim 31and further including carriage means for carrying plate film, saidcarriage means being sidably supported by said support member in a pathof travel which permits plate film carried by said carriage means toselectively located in the path of said light; and wherein said supportmember includes front and rear retaining edges upon which said carriagemeans is slidably supported.
 36. The film viewer of claim 30 whereinsaid support member includes roll film track means therein; and saidroll film guide means is received by said roll film track means.
 37. Thefilm viewer of claim 36 wherein said roll film track means is defined bya pair of upstanding ribs longitudinally extending along the length ofsaid support member on opposite sides of said aperture.
 38. The filmviewer of claim 27 wherein said retaining channel is defined by one ofsaid pair of upstanding ribs and a third upstanding rib laterallydisplaced from one of said pair of upstanding ribs and extendingparallel thereto.
 39. The film viewer of claim 27 wherein said roll filmguide means includes: a slotted body member having a pair of dependingfilm guiding edges spaced apart by a distance greater than the width ofsaid aperture; and at least one pair of rollers rotatably carried bysaid body member; the periphery of said rollers extending below saidfilm guiding edges, whereby a uniform gap will be established betweensaid roll film and said film guiding edges regardless of the thicknessof the roll film disposed between said roll film track means and saidroll film guide means.
 40. The film viewer of claim 39 and furtherincluding roll film guide retaining means removably secured to saidsupport member for preventing movement of said roll film guide means intwo directions while allowing a predetermined amount of movement of saidroll film guide means in a third direction; whereby said roll film guidemeans can be employed with film of various thicknesses.
 41. The filmviewer of claim 37 wherein said roll film track means includes: a firsttrack of a first predetermined width established by the spacing betweensaid pair of upstanding ribs said first track being situated in a firstpredetermined plane; and a second track of a second predetermined widthless than said first predetermined width, said second track beingsituated in a second plane below said first predetermined width.
 42. Thefilm viewer of claim 41 wherein said roll film guide means includes: aslotted body member having a pair of longitudinally extending dependingfilm guidinG edges spaced apart by a distance greater than the width ofsaid aperture but less than said second predetermined width; and atleast one pair of rollers rotatably carried by said body member andreceived in said second track; the periphery of said rollers, extendingbelow said film guiding edges.
 43. The film viewer of claim 42 whereinsaid depending film guide edges have a depth at least equal to thedistance between said first and second planes.
 44. The film viewer ofclaim 42 and further including roll film guide retaining means removablysecured to said support member for preventing movement of said roll filmguide means in two directions while allowing a predetermined amount ofmovement of said roll film guide means in a third direction; wherebysaid roll film guide means can be employed with film of variousthicknesses.
 45. The film viewer of claim 44 wherein said body member ofsaid roll film guide means includes a pair of oppositely extendingprojections; and wherein said roll film guide retaining means includes apair of arms each of which has a partial channelway therethrough toreceive one of said projections; the length and width of said partialchannelway being preselectively chosen to restain longitudinal andrectilinear motion of said roll film guide means, the depth of saidpartial channelways being preselectively chosen to allow said roll filmguide means to rise a distance slightly greater than the distancebetween said first and second plane.
 46. The film viewer of claim 30wherein said first means includes: a planar support wall for providing abacking surface for a roll film cartridge supported thereon, a lowerlongitudinal edge of said wall constituting said edge portion of saidfirst means which is received in said retaining channel; and a gearhousing secured to the rear surface of said planar support wall, saidgear housing having a rear wall which constitutes said seating portionof said first means which is removably secured to said retaining wall.47. The film viewer of claim 46 wherein said second means includes: aplanar support wall for providing a backing surface for a roll film takeup reel supported thereon, a lower longitudinal edge of said wallconstituting said edge portion of said second means which is received insaid retaining channel; and a gear housing secured to the rear surfaceof said planar support wall, said gear housing having a rear wall whichconstitutes said seating portion of said second means which is removablysecured to said retaining wall.
 48. The film viewer of claim 47 whereinsaid lens system is removably secured at one point thereof to saidsupport member and adjustably positioned at a second point thereof withrespect to said retaining wall.
 49. The film viewer of claim 30 whereinsaid lens system includes: support bracket means removably secured tosaid support member; a prism; and prism supporting means movably mountedwith respect to said support bracket means for selective vertical andtransverse movement of said prism with respect to said support memberand for selective rotational movement of said prism with respect to anaxis perpendicular to the plane of said support member.
 50. The filmviewer of claim 49 wherein said prism supporting means includes: barrelretaining means mounted on said support bracket means for saidtransverse movement with respect to said support member; and a prismcarrying barrel mounted on said support bracket means for said verticaland rotational movement with respect to said support member.
 51. Thefilm viewer of claim 50 wherein said barrel has externally providedrings thereon; said barrel retaining means has an opening therethrough;further including gear means rotatably mounted with respect to saidsupport bracket means and extending through said opening and intoengagement with said rings for effecting said vertical movement of saidprism barrel; wherein said gear means is secured to an adjustment shaftrotatably supported with respect to said support bracket means; andwherein said shaft is longitudinally fixed with respect to said barrelretaining means and longitudinally slidable with respect to said supportbracket means; whereby said shaft can be slid in a transverse directionwith respect to said support member to effectuate said transversemovement, and said shaft can be rotated to effectuate said verticalmovement.
 52. A film viewer comprising: a base a multifunction supportmember secured to said base, said support member having an aperturetherethrough; first means secured to said support member for supportingand dispensing roll film mounted thereon; second means secured to saidsupport member for taking up roll film dispensed by said first means; alens system secured to said support member intermediate said first andsecond means and over said aperture; a light system for causing light tobe passed through said aperture and toward said lens system; roll filmguide means supported by said support member for guiding roll filmbetween said first and second means in a path of travel over saidaperture; and motive means for operating said first and second means;wherein said light system comprises: a light source; a reflecting bowlpositioned behind said light source; and condensing lens meanspositioned to receive light from said source and pass said light throughsaid aperture toward said primary lens subsystem, and further includinga housing within which said light source and said reflecting bowl aresituated; said housing having an opening in an upper surface thereof;said condensing lens system being situated in said opening, and furtherincluding reflecting plate means positioned in said housing beneath saidcondensing lens system for directing light from said light source uptoward said condensing lens system, wherein one end of said housing hasair outlet openings therein, and the other end of said housing houses afan, and further including heat trap means positioned about a portion ofthe path of light between said light source and said condensing lens fortrapping heat therein; whereby air heated by said light can be containednear the longitudinal center of said housing for efficient disposalthereof by air currents generated by said fan; wherein said heat trapmeans includes a generally elongated cylinder terminating in afrustroconical portion at one end thereof; the other end of saidcylinder being spaced from said reflection bowl to create a venturieffect for the hot air trapped in said heat trap means when said fandirects air currents passed the space between said other end and saidreflecting bowl.
 53. The film viewer of claim 52 and further includingpartition means positioned between said heat trap means and the walls ofsaid housing for directing air currents generated by said fan passedsaid space to create said venturi effect and for aiding in maintainingair heated by said light close to said center of said housing.
 54. Thefilm viewer of claim 52 wherein said reflecting plate means permits thepassage of infrared light therethrough and reflection of white lighttoward said condensing lens system; and further including a metallicheat sink located behind said reflecting plate means.